May 2025 | Page 37 of 43

Mbappé Double Keeps Real Madrid’s Title Dreams Alive with 3–2 Win over Celta Vigo

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid — May 2, 2025 Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid edged Celta Vigo 3–2 in a thrilling La Liga encounter, keeping their title hopes alive ahead of a crucial El Clasico showdown with leaders Barcelona next weekend. After Barcelona’s comeback win over Valladolid on Saturday, the pressure was on Carlo Ancelotti’s side to respond—and respond they did, though not without late drama. Goals from Arda Güler and Mbappé (2) put Madrid 3–0 ahead, but a spirited second-half comeback from Celta left Los Blancos clinging to the result in the dying moments. “We fell apart… it’s something we’ve experienced before and can’t let happen,” said Real midfielder Fede Valverde. “Now everything depends on El Clasico—it’s the game of the year for us.” Madrid, plagued by defensive injuries and still reeling from recent Champions League and Copa del Rey exits, were powered early by 20-year-old playmaker Güler. The Turkish talent opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a composed finish before assisting Mbappé’s second of the night. The French striker, now on 24 league goals, trails only Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the scoring charts. His sharp finishing provided Madrid’s cushion—but not comfort. Javier Rodriguez and Williot Swedberg struck late for Celta, setting up a tense finale. Iago Aspas’ creativity off the bench nearly forced an equalizer, and Courtois narrowly avoided calamity with a late fumble. The win ensures Madrid remain four points behind Barça with one week to go until their season-defining clash. Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid — May 2, 2025 Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid edged Celta Vigo 3–2 in a thrilling La Liga encounter, keeping their title hopes alive ahead of a crucial El Clasico showdown with leaders Barcelona next weekend. After Barcelona’s comeback win over Valladolid on Saturday, the pressure was on Carlo Ancelotti’s side to respond—and respond they did, though not without late drama. Goals from Arda Güler and Mbappé (2) put Madrid 3–0 ahead, but a spirited second-half comeback from Celta left Los Blancos clinging to the result in the dying moments. “We fell apart… it’s something we’ve experienced before and can’t let happen,” said Real midfielder Fede Valverde. “Now everything depends on El Clasico—it’s the game of the year for us.” Madrid, plagued by defensive injuries and still reeling from recent Champions League and Copa del Rey exits, were powered early by 20-year-old playmaker Güler. The Turkish talent opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a composed finish before assisting Mbappé’s second of the night. The French striker, now on 24 league goals, trails only Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the scoring charts. His sharp finishing provided Madrid’s cushion—but not comfort. Javier Rodriguez and Williot Swedberg struck late for Celta, setting up a tense finale. Iago Aspas’ creativity off the bench nearly forced an equalizer, and Courtois narrowly avoided calamity with a late fumble. The win ensures Madrid remain four points behind Barça with one week to go until their season-defining clash.

Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool: Palmer Stars as Blues Dent Champions’ Momentum

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Stamford Bridge, London — May 2, 2025 Chelsea bolstered their Champions League qualification hopes with an impressive 3-1 victory over newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool on Friday evening. The visitors, managed by Arne Slot, were handed a guard of honour by Chelsea before kick-off in recognition of their title triumph last weekend. However, the Reds’ celebratory mood quickly faded as they were outplayed by a Chelsea side with everything still to fight for. Enzo Fernández opened the scoring for the hosts inside the opening five minutes, capitalising on a slip from Curtis Jones and finishing off a swift counterattack led by Pedro Neto. A second came before half-time when a mix-up in Liverpool’s defence led to Jarell Quansah inadvertently turning the ball into his own net. Despite making six changes to his regular starting lineup, Slot’s side briefly threatened a comeback when captain Virgil van Dijk rose highest to head home from a corner in the second half. But any hopes of a Liverpool revival were short-lived. A misplaced pass from Dominik Szoboszlai allowed Moises Caicedo to intercept and drive forward, drawing a foul from Quansah inside the box. Cole Palmer stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, ending a 12-game goal drought and restoring Chelsea’s two-goal cushion. Palmer also struck the post earlier in the game after a dazzling solo run, underlining his importance in Chelsea’s attacking play. The win lifts the Blues closer to a coveted top-four finish, while Liverpool’s rotated side struggled to find rhythm throughout. Chelsea will now look to build on this momentum in their final fixtures, while Liverpool’s focus shifts to finishing the season strong after their title celebrations.

Trump Draws Fire from Catholic Leaders Over AI Image of Himself as Pope

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

The New York State Catholic Conference has strongly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump after he posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as the Pope, calling the move disrespectful and untimely. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the group, which represents New York’s Catholic bishops, criticized the image as offensive, particularly in light of the recent death of Pope Francis on April 21. “We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave… Do not mock us,” the statement read. The image, originally posted on Trump’s Truth Social account and later reshared by the official White House X account, shows Trump dressed in ornate papal robes and a mitre, raising a finger as if giving a benediction. The post sparked divided reactions online, ranging from laughter to outrage, particularly within religious circles. Adding to the controversy, Trump reportedly joked to reporters days earlier that he would like to be Pope, calling it his “number one choice” when asked about the conclave. Trump attended Pope Francis’ funeral last week—his first major international appearance since returning to public office—raising eyebrows as some viewed his remarks and the AI image as politically tone-deaf and opportunistic. The incident underscores a broader tension between AI-generated satire and religious sensitivity, particularly at a time of mourning and transition in the Catholic Church.

The Illusion of Liberation: Captain Ibrahim Traoré and the Mirage of Pan-Africanism

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

Of the three military rulers who forcefully seized power in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has arguably operated the most sophisticated propaganda machine, one heavily infused with Pan-Africanist and anti-imperialist rhetoric. Yet beneath the surface, his regime has effectively swapped Western hegemony for Russian influence, primarily through collaboration with the Russian Africa Corps, the rebranded Wagner Group notorious for its operations across unstable regions. Since forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), these countries have expelled Western powers such as France and the United States, and formally withdrew from ECOWAS, the West African bloc that condemned the military coups and advocated for the restoration of democratic governance. Despite lofty promises, Captain Traoré’s regime has shown little tangible progress. Core objectives, including resolving the humanitarian crisis, reviving the economy, and combating the jihadist insurgency—which has worsened, tripling the death toll since the coup—remain unmet. Instead, civil liberties have been curtailed, and democracy, suspended in 2022, continues to languish. Yet the regime’s narrative persists—amplified by Russian disinformation networks—claiming progress and sovereignty. Just last week, pro-Traoré rallies staged under the banner of a “global day of support” took place in cities such as London, Paris, Accra, Ouagadougou, and Kingston, with demonstrators demanding an end to “Western interference” in AES affairs. Alarmingly, some supporters went as far as threatening to burn down London should Traoré die under mysterious circumstances—a stark and irrational display of political fanaticism. These protests, reportedly funded and encouraged by Russia, represent a new theatre of influence in the global East-West rivalry, with Africa as a battleground. Despite their emotive appeal, the rallies mask worsening conditions on the ground and serve as a distraction from the regression into authoritarianism. The troubling embrace of strongman politics under the guise of sovereignty reflects a crisis in African political consciousness—a failure to reckon with the long-term costs of dictatorship dressed in the garments of anti-colonialism. The irony is clear: in rejecting Western dominance, Burkina Faso and its AES partners have welcomed another imperial force, one equally, if not more, opaque and exploitative. What is even more disconcerting is the applause such regimes receive from segments of the Nigerian public, who view Traoré’s defiance of the West as courage rather than what it truly is—a regression into repression, misgovernance, and foreign manipulation.

Stanley Ontop Accuses Mercy Chinwo of Orchestrating VeryDarkMan’s Arrest

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Popular Nigerian film producer Stanley Ajemba, widely known as Stanley Ontop, has alleged that gospel singer Mercy Chinwo was behind the recent arrest of controversial social media figure VeryDarkMan (VDM)—not GTBank, as widely speculated. In a Sunday Instagram post, Stanley Ontop dismissed the initial narrative that VDM’s arrest was orchestrated by GTBank after a dispute at one of its branches. Instead, he pointed fingers at Chinwo, accusing her and religious institutions of weaponizing law enforcement agencies to silence critics. “GTBank had no hand in VDM’s arrest on their premises. The real person behind it is Mercy Chinwo,” Ajemba wrote.“Religious institutions have become like government bodies, leveraging the police, EFCC, and military to intimidate people. Mercy Chinwo is the issue here, not GTBank.” VDM was reportedly arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, May 2, following his visit to a GTBank branch alongside his mother to report unauthorized deductions from her account. The DAILY POST confirmed that EFCC officials took him into custody at the bank. The situation has sparked widespread speculation and debate online, with critics calling out what they perceive as the increasing use of legal institutions to clamp down on dissent. As of the time of filing this report, Mercy Chinwo has not responded publicly to the allegations. The EFCC and GTBank have also not issued any official statements regarding their roles in the matter.

2027: Wike, PDP Governors Move Towards Reconciliation Amid Party Crisis

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, appear to be making headway in resolving lingering internal disputes, as part of broader efforts to unite the party ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. A high-level meeting held in Lagos last week between Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who represented the PDP Governors Forum, has been described by insiders as a significant step toward reconciliation. According to sources close to the matter, the dialogue addressed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State involving Wike and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as well as contentious issues surrounding the South-South zonal leadership and the vacant National Secretary position. Mounting Internal Struggles Since its loss in the 2023 general elections, the PDP has faced escalating internal divisions. These worsened with the Wike-Fubara rift, which has polarized the party’s South-South bloc. In addition, leadership disputes and legal tussles over key positions have further strained relations between top party stakeholders. Efforts by the party’s national leadership, including the National Working Committee (NWC), Board of Trustees (BoT), National Executive Committee (NEC), and the Governors Forum, have so far yielded little resolution and, in some cases, exacerbated the infighting. These ongoing tensions have already led to defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including high-profile figures such as Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, delivering a blow to the PDP’s electoral strength and public image. Key Resolutions From Lagos Meeting The source revealed that Wike used the Lagos meeting to express dissatisfaction with the Governors Forum’s recent decisions, which he argued violated party laws and lacked inclusivity. “Wike expressed his concern that the Forum’s decisions on key issues were taken without proper legal backing or wide consultation. He feels these have only complicated the PDP’s internal crisis,” the source said. Despite his grievances, Wike reaffirmed his commitment to remaining in the PDP, but demanded that the party reassess certain decisions to accommodate all stakeholders and restore internal harmony. In response, Governor Makinde acknowledged that some party officials had behaved in ways that undermined the authority and unity of the PDP governors. He emphasized that the intent of the Forum was not to alienate anyone, but to salvage and reposition the party. The two leaders reportedly agreed that: Makinde is expected to brief other PDP governors before the Forum’s next meeting, while Wike will consult with his supporters and allies to gain their buy-in. Optimism Amid Uncertainty A senior member of the PDP National Working Committee confirmed that the meeting between Makinde and Wike was “a step in the right direction” and could help unify the party as it prepares for 2027. Meanwhile, Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, expressed optimism, saying, “This and previous reconciliatory meetings show that the PDP still has what it takes to reposition and emerge stronger.” Efforts to reach the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.

Nigerian Skits Maker, Kamo State, Wife Welcome First Baby

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago01 mins

Nigerian Skits maker Akinyoola Ayoola popularly known as Kamo and his wife Esther Olamide, have welcomed their first child. The couple, who had a glamorous traditional wedding after their engagement in September 2024, shared the joyful news via Kamo’s Instagram account. In his announcement, Kamo described the birth, which took place in April 2025, as the arrival of a “precious gift,” praising his wife for her strength during the process. Although the baby’s gender was not revealed, the proud father expressed deep gratitude. His caption read: “Our Baby is here. “Congratulations to us my love.”

Nnadozie’s Penalty Heroics End Paris FC’s Trophy Drought

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

Nigerian international Chiamaka Nnadozie etched her name into Paris FC’s history books on Saturday night with a match-winning performance that clinched the club’s first major trophy in nearly two decades, as they edged city rivals Paris Saint-Germain 5–4 on penalties to lift the 2025 Coupe de France Féminine. Held at the Stade de l’Épopée in Calais, the tightly contested final ended goalless after 90 minutes of high-intensity action. But it was the 24-year-old goalkeeper’s heroics in the shootout—including two stunning saves—that sealed a historic night for Paris FC. Nnadozie denied Korbin Albert and Jade Le Guilly from the spot, delivering the decisive blow in sudden death and sparking wild celebrations among her teammates and the travelling fans. It marked Nnadozie’s first club silverware in Europe since her move from Nigeria’s Rivers Angels five years ago, where she had already won multiple domestic titles and shone for the Super Falcons on the continental stage. Tactical Battle Ends in Stalemate The final showcased top-quality football, with both sides creating chances. Paris FC nearly struck early, with Gaëtane Thiney narrowly missing the target in the fifth minute, followed by an incisive cross from Elisa de Almeida that just evaded Romée Leuchter. PSG responded with pressure of their own, led by Grace Geyoro and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, but Paris FC’s defensive line, marshaled by Griedge Mbock, held firm. Thiney had a goal ruled out for offside in the 27th minute as the intensity of the derby grew. Both goalkeepers were called into action throughout the match. Nnadozie made a crucial stop in stoppage time, acrobatically tipping Melween’s curling strike over the bar, reaffirming her status as the standout performer on the night. Nnadozie the Shootout Star The shootout began with Théa Gréboval converting for Paris FC. After early exchanges, PSG gained the upper hand when Clara Mateo struck the post. But Nnadozie turned the tide with a full-stretch save to deny Albert, and later stopped Le Guilly in sudden death to seal the 5–4 win. The result ended a 19-year trophy drought for Paris FC, whose last Coupe de France title came in 2005. It was a particularly emotional farewell for Gaëtane Thiney, playing her final cup match, and a crowning achievement for head coach Sandrine Soubeyrand, who steered the team through a formidable cup run. A Rising Legacy Nnadozie’s performance adds to an already glowing résumé. In the 2023–24 UEFA Women’s Champions League, she saved five penalties in eight matches, including key stops against Arsenal, Wolfsburg, and World Cup winner Olga Carmona of Real Madrid. Her international form has been just as commanding. She famously denied Christine Sinclair at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to help Nigeria earn a crucial draw, and has produced match-saving penalty stops in the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers and 2019 World Cup. With her latest heroics, Chiamaka Nnadozie has not only delivered a long-awaited trophy to Paris FC but also cemented her reputation as one of the world’s top goalkeepers, continuing to elevate African excellence on the global stage.